Real Madrid’s 2014/15 Pre-season Schedule

A champion‘s work is never done. Real Madrid may have captured their elusive “La Decima,” but they can’t afford to rest on their laurels if they want to reclaim their spot a top La Liga.

Los Blancos‘ Champions League final triumph over Atletico Madrid helped to blunt some of the pain that came with watching the club’s crosstown rivals—Atletico—win the league.

Winning that 10th European crown had become an obsession at the Santiago Bernabeu, and now that it’s over, a sense of normalcy can return.

Preseason friendlies will offer players a chance to put the Champions League win in the rear-view mirror and shift their focus to the 2014/15 campaign. Bringing home one league title in six years is a bona fide drought for Real Madrid, so that will be at the top of the checklist for next year.

REAL MADRID’s 2014/15 PRE SEASON SCHEDULE

By taking part in the International Champions Cup, Real Madrid are continuing to grow their brand in the United States. They’re already one of the most lucrative brands in world football, but overseas tours like this one ensure that they remain relevant for the newer generations of football fans.

The U.S. will also be riding a wave of momentum from the World Cup. Thousands of American fans will turn up to watch Los Blancos take on Manchester United, Roma and Inter Milan. Some of those fans may be watching club football for the first time.

Watching stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric is a great way to get hooked on the game.

The International Champions Cup will be a big moneymaker for the defending champions, but their more important matchup may come against Fiorentina. That friendly comes right before the Spanish Super Cup and will give players one more opportunity to gain match fitness before the important stuff begins.